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Some of you may have had your computer taken over by a virus that locks it up and claims it's the FBI. It may say that it is now visually recording you through your webcam. It requires you to pay a fine to get your computer unlocked. I am told you may run into this anywhere now, not just at porn sites and the like.

First of all, the FBI cannot legally track your internet activity without a court order. Neither may they take over your computer without a court order. With or without a court order, they may not legally levy any fine on you whatsoever. Do not be fooled.

In my experience, having E-Set (first) or McAfee (second) are the best security services you can have that will rescue you from this sort of virus. If any of you recommend another service, please do so here.

edit: I forgot to mention, if either Java or Adobe asks to update your computer, always refuse. If and when you would like to update go to Oracle's site or Adobe's and download the updates from there. Frequently the people requesting to update you are neither from Oracle or Adobe and they simply wish to penetrate your computer.

I got hit with this a few months ago.  Did a search for it on the wife's iPad.  From what I've read, even if you paid the ransom, it wouldn't go away.
 
I wound up booting in safe mode and doing a cleanse with the antivirus software.  Not sure how it got through to begin with. (Norton)
 
Ed-

I had that too, but I did meet a nice girl at the FBI. Ms. Tuiasosopu.


We are going to meet in St. Barts in April.

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

I had that too, but I did meet a nice girl at the FBI. Ms. Tuiasosopu.


We are going to meet in St. Barts in April.

I'm presuming you don't have a problem with chest or back hair. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

I had that too, but I did meet a nice girl at the FBI. Ms. Tuiasosopu.


We are going to meet in St. Barts in April.

Careful, that's Teo bugaboo's turf...

Thats what happens in Capitalist heaven, even the cops have to raise cash somehow.

Its always amazing when you hear of "I have a virus, no I dont use virus protection"

That virus is all over world.
In Poland he is claiming that he is from Polish Police . Almost all countries have own version of it. In my company few computers catch it even we have antvirus on all workstations and company net is defended by firewalls.

In early versions of that virus You need only to bot in safe mode and scan Your hard drive.
But there are now new versions of that virus more difficult to heal(safe mod is not working) so probably You will have to scan hard drive on external machine or reinstall Windows.

geofflambert is 100% right.
Having anti virus on computer and all programs and System updated is basic knowledge about computers. It is not different from using condoms.

Having anti virus on computer and all programs and System updated is basic knowledge about computers. It is not different from using condoms.


It is, but we won't explain it here[8D]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Having anti virus on computer and all programs and System updated is basic knowledge about computers. It is not different from using condoms.


It is, but we won't explain it here[8D]

OK, ok make fun of me[:D]
But we talking here about serious things. Virus protection of PC is not a joke[:'(]

Funny, I found the attached email in the Oberst's inbox. I emailed them back and told them I'll instruct Jack Bauer and Carrie Mathison to hunt them down for insulting the intelligence of Oberst Wilhelm Klink, STALAG13. xD

Klink, Oberst

I've had this a couple of times lately, despite having all the anti virus/firewall software running. Its amazing how many gullible people would actually pay up as well.

Restart in safe mode and then system restore to an earlier time gets rid of it.

I got it when I was in the UK - had McAfee up and running. [:(] Was playing a turn of AE on my laptop and usually do searches etc on my desktop. Innocently plotting the return to the Philippines [8D] and BAM on my desktop I got a Police like splash page - said that I was involved in almost every crime in the book, including international terrorism! [:-] Cost my 68GBP to get it cleaned, only a little better than the 100GBP fine they wanted to 'collect' with my credit card number ...[:@]

Wow,you guys are unlucky with all these ransom demands... I on the other hand am a billionaire now thanks to all the help I,ve provided to exiled Nigerian princes loading my bank account with millions of dollars at a time just for helping them out!!

ORIGINAL: Gunner98

I got it when I was in the UK - had McAfee up and running. [:(] Was playing a turn of AE on my laptop and usually do searches etc on my desktop. Innocently plotting the return to the Philippines [8D] and BAM on my desktop I got a Police like splash page - said that I was involved in almost every crime in the book, including international terrorism! [:-] Cost my 68GBP to get it cleaned, only a little better than the 100GBP fine they wanted to 'collect' with my credit card number ...[:@]

You wasted 68GBP I'm afraid.

You guys have just scared the goosebumps off of me.  My computer has all my work on it - I publish a magazine - so if my computer crashes and takes everything with it, everything stops cold.  I have antivirus.  I have backup hard drives.  I have goosebumps.....but what is a web cam?

Something the FBI uses to look at young ladies in various states of undress ?



(serious portion)
If you are in the least bit concerned about document loss, getting a offline/cloud back-up is cheap/often free for the storage amount typically needed.

I use dropbox, but there are plenty of reliable and reputable services out there.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You guys have just scared the goosebumps off of me.  My computer has all my work on it - I publish a magazine - so if my computer crashes and takes everything with it, everything stops cold.  I have antivirus.  I have backup hard drives.  I have goosebumps.....but what is a web cam?

This is the second reason why I usually have all of my important docs on a thumb drive. Granted, thumb drives can get infected, but most malware ignores them.

The first reason is that I'm lazy, and the convenience of being able to access them on my PC, laptop, or at work is just too good to refuse.

FBI scam is also in a small country like Croatia but with our police name. Google translate really does wonders bringing world together...

OFC, I do look at internet porn but i also use protection, safe sex ftw:)

ORIGINAL: Miller

ORIGINAL: Gunner98

I got it when I was in the UK -

You wasted 68GBP I'm afraid.

probably [:'(]

ORIGINAL: Mundy

I got hit with this a few months ago.  Did a search for it on the wife's iPad.  From what I've read, even if you paid the ransom, it wouldn't go away.

I wound up booting in safe mode and doing a cleanse with the antivirus software.  Not sure how it got through to begin with. (Norton)

Ed-

Norton is attention-whoring junk. Get rid of it.

Get McAfee. Yes, the founder is a crackpot, but the software is very good with excellent support, and it operates inconspicuously. It only ever shows itself if there's an actual issue, or if you actually open it.